
India and Nepal cancelled out each other in an otherwise engaging match. Both sides ended the match level at 1-1. Both sides will be disappointed that they did not capitalise on their half chances.
FULL-TIME! Both teams sharing the spoils at the end 🤝
Nepal took the lead in the 1st half, but the #BlueTigers 🐯 came roaring back in the 2nd with @AnirudhThapa scoring the equaliser 🙌
🇳🇵 1-1 🇮🇳#NEPIND ⚔️ #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/a8r7utoJ3f
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 2, 2021
The match started in a lifeless and drab fashion as both teams couldn’t get many chances in the final third. Sunil Chhetri was largely absent during the half despite playing in a very important position as an attacking midfielder. Nepal showed some exciting one-touch football but nothing of note came during the first phase of the half.
They got the fruits of their play though when Anjan Bista found himself in a lot of space inside India’s box as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu came out of the line. Bista calmly slotted the ball into the net at the 36th minute to create a sense of nervousness among the favourites, India.
Nepal became confident at the end of the first half due to the goal and tried for a second goal and put pressure on the opposition. It didn’t lead to any goal as the half ended 1-0.
The second half started with the Igor Stimac led side changing their intent against Nepal with them being the more attacking team. Chhetri was close to levelling the score but his header went astray. Chhetri’s efforts did not go to waste though, as he provided the assist for his team’s equalizer. He took a chance to shoot a thunderous one from a distance and it was saved by Nepal’s goalkeeper Limbu but Anirudh Thapa took advantage of the floating rebound and deposited it to the net at the 60th minute.
India controlled the match and had another half-chance to take the lead at the 66th minute due to a very nicely taken corner kick but there was no one to guide it. Nepal’s defensive shape was good enough to keep India at bay but their attacking play was unorganised.
At the end, when the final whistle, both teams will find that this is a fair result but will also rue the half chances not taken.
#BlueTigers 🐯 Debut ✅
Man of the Match ✅What a start to Rahim Ali's International career 👏👏#NEPIND ⚔️ #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/b2WKeZSChs
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 2, 2021